Five years after the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, remote work continues to shape employee expectations and company policies — but not without tension. A new study by a research group at the University of Konstanz, now in its fifth round of surveys, sheds light on how far the world of work has really come in adapting to the “new normal.” The concept of the “new normal” has firmly taken root in the modern workplace, with remote and hybrid work models now seen as standard rather than exceptional. Employees increasingly expect flexibility in where and how they work, and many view the ability to work from home as a basic right rather than a privilege. This shift reflects a broader transformation in work culture, where autonomy, well-being, and trust have become central values. Companies that recognize and adapt to this new normal are more likely to attract and retain talent, while those clinging to outdated structures risk falling behind.
The findings show a clear trend: most employees still want the option to work remotely at least part of the time, as long as their roles structurally allow it. A full return to office-based work remains rare, with only 8% of respondents reporting they are required to be on-site every day. Meanwhile, strict in-office mandates have declined slightly, with just 19% experiencing tighter attendance rules compared to 22% a year ago.
Despite this, around one-third of companies (33%) have introduced stricter office presence policies recently. However, the study questions the value of these mandates. Employees subjected to more frequent in-office requirements report significantly higher levels of emotional exhaustion — without corresponding improvements in productivity.
“Our data suggests that mandatory attendance often does more harm than good,” said Professor Florian Kunze, head of the study and Chair of Organizational Behavior at the University of Konstanz. Kilian Hampel, co-author of the study and Senior Research Fellow at the Future of Work Lab, noted a more troubling trend: “Especially in crisis-prone companies, office presence is apparently being used deliberately as a strategy to reduce staffing levels — according to the motto: If you don’t want to go to the office, just leave.”
The research highlights a growing divide between what employees seek — autonomy, flexibility, and trust — and how some companies are responding. As the workplace continues to evolve post-pandemic, the study underscores the importance of thoughtful, evidence-based approaches to remote work policy, rather than a return to rigid, outdated norms.
This new way of doing things after the virus has created a global trend that is reshaping the future of work. The widespread shift to remote and flexible working arrangements, initially driven by necessity, has now become a defining feature of modern employment. Across industries and countries, employees are re-evaluating what they want from their jobs, placing greater emphasis on flexibility, mental well-being, and work-life balance. As a result, businesses around the world are being challenged to rethink traditional office-based models and adopt more adaptive, people-centered approaches to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving job market.
